Constitutional framework

Congo’s civil war (1998–2003) was essentially ended by a power-sharing agreement that created the transitional constitution of 2003, which provided for a transitional government that consisted of representatives from various rebel groups, the previous government, the political opposition, and civil organizations. A new, formal constitution, approved by referendum in 2005 and promulgated in 2006, significantly devolved power to provincial administrations. Under it, the president is to be elected to no more than two five-year terms and must share power with the prime minister, who is to be named from the legislature’s largest party. The legislature is bicameral, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate.

Congolese voters at a polling station in Kinshasa looking at lists of candidates for parliamentary …

Finbarr O` Reilly—Reuters/Landov

Local government

For administrative purposes, the country has long been divided into a varying number of regions or provinces. After the overthrow of Mobutu’s regime in 1997, the country was organized into 10 provinces and the ville (city) of Kinshasa, the latter being the equivalent of a federal district. The provinces are presided over by governors. The 2006 constitution provides for an increase in the number of provinces from 10 to 26, though the new provincial structure was not immediately implemented.

Justice

For many years, the Supreme Court (located in Kinshasa) and the Courts of Appeal stood at the centre of Congo’s judicial system, but, after the promulgation of the 2006 constitution, they were slated to be superseded by the new judicial structure. The 2006 constitution provides for an independent judiciary consisting of the Constitutional Court, the Court of Cassation, the Council of State (a federal administrative court), the Military High Court, and lower courts and tribunals throughout the country.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo straddles the Equator in the middle of Africa. It is the second largest country on the continent (after Algeria) and is home to more than 200 different ethnic groups. The capital is Kinshasa. The country is called Congo for short. It is also often referred to by its acronym, DRC, or called Congo (Kinshasa), to distinguish it from its neighbor the Republic of the Congo, which is known as Congo (Brazzaville). Area 905,568 square miles (2,345,410 square kilometers). Population (2015 est.) 71,246,000.